Tourists targeted by a Shire of Augusta-Margaret River crackdown on camping say their hands have been forced by unaffordable accommodation and a lack of free facilities.

Travellers speaking to the Times said the district was one of very few in Australia that didn’t offer free-stay camping grounds and if the viticulture-driven town wanted workers and tourists it should support them.

Holland’s Robert de Jongh said he was hit with a fine on his first night in Margaret River.

“We came into town late, around 10pm, and couldn’t find a campsite and other campers said it was okay to stay (at Rotary Park),” he said.

“I was woken up at around 11.30pm and no warning, we got a $100 fine.”

Mr de Jongh said van travelling was usually easy in Australia, but Margaret River didn’t accommodate for low-budget tourists.

He also said the Shire should respect the contribution fruit pickers made to the local viticulture industry.

“We wake up at 5am to work for $40 a day,” he said.

“If you take petrol and food, it’s too hard to pay for accommodation.

“This way of life in Australia, in a van, is very good and cheap and easy, but not here.”

Mr de Jongh said the Shire needed a place where vintage workers could stay cheaply or for free.

“Even if there was something for $5 a day, that would be great,” he said.

French traveller Chloe Dautrey said most low-budget tourists tried to avoid confrontations with locals, but a few had given them a bad name in town.

“We understand why people could be angry, but we try and be as discreet as we can,” she said.

“We know we are in a foreign country and foreign culture, but we don’t want to rubbish your beautiful place.”

Mr Jongh said locals had frequently abused travellers.

“People drive by and yell at us and stick their fingers out at us,” he said.

A group of Belgian travellers who did not want to be named for fear of losing their jobs said travellers should be welcomed by locals and needed basic facilities to enjoy their stay.

One Swedish visitor said if Margaret River needed backpackers as a labour force, they had to invest in them.

“I don’t see the locals getting up at 4am to pick grapes,” he said.

Ms Dautrey said many foreign travellers chose to holiday in a van because they could make the most of their time overseas.

“We just want to enjoy our travel and wake up near the beach or to some beautiful scenery,” she said.